LITCHFIELD -- Repeat drunken driver and car thief Anthony Machia, on the lam after police said he got drunk and stole two more vehicles over the weekend, has turned himself in to police, say officials at Litchfield Superior Court.

Machia, 30, of Falls Village, had a warrant issued for his arrest Monday. He had been released from state custody with charges pending on similar, previous offenses when he went to a party in Sheffield, Mass., got drunk, and stole and crashed a pickup truck, and then stole a car, police said.

Machia was ordered held on a $1.1 million bond after arraignment in Bantam Superior Court.

It is unclear what will happen to a plea deal on the table that would have given him a 10-year sentence. Officials on Friday offered that deal -- the same day they acknowledged learning of another DUI conviction for Machia in Massachusetts.

Machia could have been on a GPS monitoring system but was allowed to go free on bond with a promise not to drink or drive.

With the warrant from Monday, police were seeking a $1 million bond.

Court officials have said they did not expect him to raise hjis $154,000 original bond when GPS was not ordered, and they also said his remote Falls VIllage home would have posed problems with the system, a statement later discounted by the company which provides Connecticut's monitoring service.

Machia's past had caught up with him when he appeared Friday in Bantam Superior Court in Litchfield. He was given one week to decide whether to accept a 10-year prison term or to take his case to trial and face the possibility of an even longer term. A three-time repeat drunken-driving offender, he must answer to several motor vehicle charges related to a Jan. 23 chase through the Northwest Corner that resulted in a smashed cruiser and a damaged stolen truck.

That incident came 11 years after another crash caused by Machia that left three people hurt.

Early Sunday morning, Sheffield police got a call at 2:33 a.m. that a truck had been stolen and found crashed into a muddy area near Barnum Street. The keys were still in it, along with a wallet and empty alcohol containers.

A few hours later, at 7:25 a.m., police got another call from the owner of a gray Volkswagen Jetta that had been parked in a driveway just down the road on the same street. The car was gone and remained missing late Monday.

If Machia is accused of taking them, they would be the eighth and ninth vehicles he has stolen.

Sheffield police contacted state troopers in Canaan to ask for their help after they learned that Machia had been seen drinking at a "social gathering" near the Connecticut state line overnight Saturday. At least one witness gave police a statement.

"Had they ordered a GPS unit, we wouldn't be in this situation," said Michelle Lettieri, director of Victims Services for Mothers Against Drunk Driving. "I am appalled to think that more wasn't done to keep someone this irresponsible from the road."

Anyone with information about Machia's whereabouts is asked to contact state police. The number for Troop B in Canaan is 860-626-1820. The statewide tip line is 860-685-8190, or 800-842-0200 toll-free in Connecticut. You can also text a tip anonymously by texting TIP711 plus your message to CRIMES (274637).

" So, bleeding heart liberals, nothing to say? By any chance was it his wallet, and if so, why not tell us? I'll bet his bail bondsman is kicking himself now! Maybe we need to get one of those TV bounty hunters up here to find him. The guy is incorrigible and belongs in jail, period! "

" Still LMAO.." Oh, the poor victim-he needs help, not prison! " "An accident can happen with or without alcohol.""There's something wrong with the system to send him to prison!" "How about a year in mandatory rehab?" " Now, now, let's not throw stones! " Where are you all now? Hopefully, the judicial system won't make such a giant mistake a second time. But, really, if they release him again, relying on his "responsible" character, would anyone really be surprised? OK, Judge Marano, time to fix your prior egregious error. Let's see you stand up for the public that you are supposed to protect from idiots like this. "

" So, if they lock him up, how much will his healthcare deductible be? He will probably have to work for a low wage but 22 cents and hour is pretty good when your food, energy, lights, rent, and health care is taken care of. No travel costs or other economic concerns. They ban cigarettes, cell phones and other stuff like try to guns on the outside, but from what I hear it is ineffectual in a maximum security prison, never mind general society. The people who own companies supplying prisons will feast off the taxpayers, again. "

" Hey Linda-please note people or the "liberals" as you see it are attempting to comment on these articles but apparently they are looking for all negative ones I've tried a couple times in an attempt that it would indeed post but they refuse to post or remove...quite ironic actually.I'd be happy to send you my thoughts directly because I am still here and still stand behind my reasonings for rehab. "

" I feel anyone with split personality's when drinking needs a psyc ward or to never ever drink. I avoid those people like the plague. This states law enforcement and judicial system needs a over haul. "

" @Lori-If this were a first offense, I would perhaps agree with you. This man is a repeat drunken driving offender with a history dating back to 2003. He should have long ago lost the privilege to drive, in my opinion, and rehab should not be wasted on someone like this. Rehab is for those who want to change. He clearly does not, and has stated as much. "

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